Beakspeak will be taking a short hiatus. I’m packing up my camera gear and trading the warm California sunshine for the more “seasonal” weather the Midwest has to offer. Actually, the outlook for Nebraska looks favorable, so hopefully there will be some good days out to see the various birds and wildlife the country has to offer. There isn’t any snow in the forecast yet, but a little would be a welcome sight. You never know; like they say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.”

In the news, it’s good to see that it’s the season of giving, not taking. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will see another day without drilling. And with all the other ongoing battles—windfarms, pollution, development, logging, and the strippping of the Endangered Species Act—this shows hope that some of our elected officials are standing up to preserve the nation’s wildlife and wilderness. Birds are the best indicator of the condition of the world. And considering all the struggles they’re going through right now, they need all the help they can get.

I hope to be back at full swing around the end of the year. Happy holidays!